Folding desk or table



Jan. 25, 1955 N. w. GODFREY 2,700,537

' FOLDING DESK OR TABLE Filed Oct. 25, 1953 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR NEI L W. GODFREY ATTORNEY N. w. GODFREY 2,700,587

FOLDING DESK OR TABLE Jan. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR NE L L W G O D F R EY ATTORNEY United States Patent FOLDING DESK 0R TABLE Nell W. Godfrey, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Application October 23, 1953, Serial No. 387,895 2 Claims. (Cl. 3l2231) This invention relates to the elementary school system and the equipment employed in the teaching of children. The invention relates particularly to desks, work tables, and articles of furniture of this general character for use in the home, in the class room, or in any other desired location.

Many factors including increase in and shifting of population have multiplied the complexities of our educational system during the present era. As a result, in order to cope with crowded conditions in the schools as well as in the homes, a greater more modern and practical equipment in the teaching of the young has occurred.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and ch can be used either as a folding desk, a table, or as an easel, as well as an article of furniture which can be readily manufactured, easily used, and which can be collapsed and transported without difliculty.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of furniture which when collapsed may be transported in a manner similar to that of a travelling case and which may be readily set up as a desk, a table, or as an easel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding desk or table for a student including an easel and a table top which may be selectively used and in different positions and which can be handled by a small child.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective illustrating one application of the invention in its collapsed most compact condition;

Fig. 2, a perspective with the device set up in a manner to provide an easel;

ig. 3, a perspective of the device set up for use as a Fig. 4, a section on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a section on the line 55 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6, a perspective of the device With the top in a raised position.

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a hollow body of generally rectangular shape having a handle on one side by means of which it may be transported. A pair of leg frames are pivoted beneath the bottom, one adjacent each end in overlapping relation when they are collapsed flat against the bottom. Also a longitudinally disposed flexible locking or holding strip is provided for maintaining the legs either in collapsed or in extended position.

The body also is provided with a pivoted side which forms a table top and an easel is disposed Within the body pivoted to the side on which the handle is mounted. The free end of the easel is constructed to rest against the free edge portion of the top when it is elevated.

Thus the device may be used as a desk or support on which books, writing and other materials may be placed. The top of the device also may be disposed in an inclined position to provide an easel. Further the parts may be collapsed and the device transported similar to a suitcase or kit of similar character.

With continued reference to the drawings, the device of the present invention comprises a hollow body including a top 10, a bottom 11, end walls 12 and 13, and side walls 14 and 15. A handle 16 is attached longitudinally to the center of the side 14 in order that the device may be easily transported. A latch 17 may be employed for fastening the top in a closed position, the top being mounted on the side by means of hinges 10.

A pair of legs 18 are mounted at each end of the body on the exterior of the bottom 11 and by means of a pin consciousness of the desirability of 2,700,587 Patented Jan. 25, 1955 19 extending through the end of the leg and carried in a mounting block 20. A brace 21 serves as a means for holding the legs either in collapsed or extended position.

In order to maintain the legs in the desired position a resilient holding bar 22 is attached to a mounting block 23 longitudinally of the center of the bottom, such holding bar bearing against the leg-connecting braces 21. The holding bar 22 has a notch 24 at each end in which the brace 21 is received and retained when the legs are in extended position. The brace 21 is of slightly greater thickness than the block 23 so that the bar 22 resiliently engages and exerts pressure upon said brace and maintains the legs 18 either in collapsed or extended position. This bar flexes to permit the legs to be snapped to extended position and to be snapped from such position when collapsed.

The top 10, slightly larger than the hollow body so that an overtop is obtained, said top also being provided with a projection 25 which is engageable by the pivoted latching member 17 and by means of which such top may be retained in closed position.

Within the body is mounted an easel 26 having a base 27 secured by hinges 28 to the side member 14. The easel 26 may be used as an easel and its surface may be finished to provide a blackboard if desired. The easel may be provided with a holding receptacle 29 having a series of receiving openings 30. When the easel is raised it may rest against the top 10 beneath the latch member 25.

The top preferably is provided with an open ended receptacle 31 for holding pencils, brushes or other articles. Also such receptacle is of a thickness corresponding to the width of the base member 27 so that the parts will be snugly engaged and rattling will be prevented when the device is closed. A pencil holder 32 as well as other accessories may be added, and if desired the top may have a pencil or pen slot 33.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the device of the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive and can be used in a number of ways and can be readily collapsed and transported or set up for use.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination providing an open top, a lid pivotally mounted adjacent one edge to the top edge of one side wall for movement from a closed position to an open position, a base member of substantial width and length pivotally attached at one edge to the upper edge of the other side wall, an easel fixed to the other edge of said base member and of a size to be receivable within the open space between said side and end walls whereby the easel may be received in the hollow body and the lid may be closed over the hollow body, latch means on the said other side wall and the lower surface of the top for securing the top in closed position on the hollow body, the portion of said latch on the lower surface of said lid serving to locate the edge opposite the base member of said easel whereby the lid, the hollow body and the easel provide a rigid triangular shaped structure permitting use of the easel without additional support.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which a handle is provided on said other side wall of said hollow body and a plurality of foldable legs are mounted beneath the bottom of said hollow body whereby the entire structure may be collapsed into a minimum of space and be readily openable for use.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

